The team from Nikšić and Barani have matches against teams that are on fire this weekend: the leader is visiting the penultimate Bokelj, while Barani welcomes the loser – Jedinstvo from Bijelo Polje.
Tough challenges for title contenders, even tougher for teams struggling for survival, separated by a point in elite company.
The shaken Podgorica teams play each other: Buducnost hosts OFK Mladost, whose bench will see the debut of a former player and coach of the "blues" - Aleksandar Nedovic.
Petrovac and Dečić will be looking for European points in their clash, while Jezero and Arsenal will face off in Berane.
Pressure on the people of Nikšić
Sutjeska has stepped out of its comfort zone and no longer has the security at the top that it had until about twenty days ago.
Still, the people of Nikšić are wondering about the outcome of the championship race, but now they know that the first subsequent outcome without a win could mean the loss of the leading position.
The Chosen Ones Milorad Peković They found themselves in a position where they had to travel to Bokelj under great pressure and imperative.
– The draw against Jezera confirmed to us that we must not think for a moment that it will be easy. We only know that the match with Kotor will not be as simple as it seems at first glance. Teams that are fighting for survival are, as a rule, the most dangerous. It can be more or less expected that we will have to be in the mood to fight, and then smart and aware of the conditions and the opponent that awaits us. In the end, it is necessary that the majority of the team is up to the task – said Peković.
Top shape Sailor
Mornar has won nine times, including one in the Cup, and enters the final month of the season as the only candidate for the double crown.
The Barani can win everything, something or nothing, provided they recognize the moment when they can go beyond the club's current limit.
Full of confidence, as a team in its best form, Vesko Stešević's men enter the duel with Jedinstvo in Topolica with the halo of favorites.
– We are in a promising moment, but of our wishes we have only fulfilled one, albeit the primary one, and that is to secure appearances in Europe. We have approached the leader, but we are not looking at Sutjeska. It does not mean anything to us if they screw up in Kotor and we do not beat Jedinstvo at home. We have had bad luck with injuries and illnesses, but the guys who stepped in from the bench – they neutralized the personnel problems. We have really achieved a respectable series, but we want to continue, we can do more. I believe that this is the generation that will make a breakthrough and bring a trophy to the Mornar club showcases. I would like it to be a double crown, but I will accept one cup. If I could choose – that would of course be the title – says one of the best players of the league for Pobjeda Stefan Denković.
Are the Baranians afraid of the law of large numbers? At some point, even a record-breaking winning streak will have to end...
– I've been talking about it with a lot of people lately: I've never been part of a team with a better atmosphere, chemistry and togetherness, and I've changed a lot of clubs. There are always different characters, thoughts, affinities, but with us all those differences have come together. A great group of guys and that's a very important segment that pushes us forward. Of course, a big part of everything is given by the coaching staff, led by the boss (Stešević) who motivates us, with the good work we have. He doesn't allow euphoria to prevail, nor does he allow us to think about the upcoming games. The focus is on the one that comes first. And now we are maximally dedicated to the duel that awaits us on Saturday. The series will stop at some point, but I hope it's not time for that yet – emphasizes the winger.
Mornar is 32 points ahead of Jedinstvo, but the team from Bijelo Polje is no match for the team from the Adriatic. This is evidenced by the fact that Barani lost both of their away games in Bijelo Polje this year.
This time, however, it is played on the popular Hungarian...
– We have experienced firsthand how difficult Jedinstvo can be to play against. We have dropped points twice at their stadium, and now they are burning underfoot. They will be motivated, they are chasing points to save the day, but I think the outcome depends mostly on us. The good pitch in Bar suits us and I expect us to repeat our high-quality performance. We will give everything we have to continue our winning streak – said Denković.
This is a guy who makes a difference in Mornar's favor. He scores goals, assists, dribbles, plays, wins space, makes extra passes... - the thirty-four-year-old forward's contribution to Mornar's results is enormous.
– I was suffering from an injury, and it all started after the match with Petrovac. We were changing surfaces – hard/soft/artificial/natural grass – and the shin splints flared up. I was in Belgrade because of that. I feel much better, but the pain is still there. I hope it will be resolved and that I will help the team as much as possible in a crucial part of the season – said Denković.
European stake under Mali Brdo
Petrovac has slowed down since the end of March, with only one win in the last six rounds, but has the option to return to third place if they defeat Dečić in their home environment today.
European points are at stake under Mali Brdo...
– We are aware of the importance of the duel and that this is a derby round, but we also know that after the match nothing will be resolved in the fight for Europe. The winner will, of course, have the advantage. I sincerely hope that we will be happy – says the coach of the “sky blues” Zdravko Dragićević for Pobjeda.
– We had a drop in results, but not in games, except in Tivat, where we failed last weekend. We are ready for the end of the championship and I believe that we will reach our goal. We have had European ambitions since the beginning of the competitive season and a triumph over a direct competitor would mean a lot before the end of the championship – added the young strategist.
Tuzanis defend third position and the Cup trophy…
– An experienced team, full of good players, they know how to play for the result. They probably see the game the same way we do. It will be interesting and uncertain. The details can decide. The luck factor, which has not been on our side lately, is also important – said Dragićević.
Petrovčani is not complete...
– Miranović had meniscus surgery, Đorđević is out for 20 days, we lost Divanović in the fall until the end of the season. I am happy about the return of Bakić, who returned after a knee injury – concluded Dragićević.
Savicevic: We want to depend on ourselves
Drama in the fight for the title, drama in the fight for survival – two teams from the top of the table play against two teams from the very bottom.
Bokelj from the play-off zone welcomes leading Sutjeska, while in Bar Mornar (minus two compared to the leader) will play with last place Jedinstvo, who are one point behind Kotor.
– We can hardly play as badly as we did in the last round against Jedinstvo. Despite that, we could have beaten our direct competitor because we scored in the 88th minute. It remains a pity because we lost the advantage in injury time. That is behind us. An even tougher game is coming. We are facing Sutjeska, a leading team chasing the title, and we have been defeated by them all three times this season. I hope it is time to change that – he says for Pobjeda Vladimir Savicevic, the youngest coach in the league to lead Bokelj from the bench.
The first league team from the Adriatic needs points no less than the team from Nikšić.
– We cannot threaten our rival who is in first place, but we can do everything to deserve a positive result. It will be a good field, we have no lack of motivation, and we will see what the match will bring. We do not want to watch Jedinstvo's performance, but to depend on ourselves. It is up to us to minimize mistakes and take advantage of some of the chances – said Savićević.
The thirty-six-year-old skipper cannot count on all the players.
– We haven't had Ćetković for a long time, Bumbar broke his arm, and Vijera is injured. What's up – he's here. I expect the guys who run onto the field, as well as those who come off the bench, to bring out the best in themselves. That's the only way to match and surprise Sutjeska – believes Savićević.
Golubović: We will take care of every detail
Sutjeska will play in Kotor without A national team player Marko Šimun, and coach Milorad Peković cannot count on his bonus player Andrija Kecojević either. Both players have yellow cards.
He is expected to take a place in the starting lineup. Aleksa Golubovic.
– These kinds of matches certainly have their pitfalls. We have to take care of every detail. We enter the match against Kotor with triumphant ambitions, and I don't see any reason why it would be any different. We are the favorites, but we are also aware of the difficulty of the task. Ours is to play with maximum dedication in order to win. I have no doubt about one thing, and that is that we will do our best to make the supporters happy. I am optimistic, because I believe above all in our quality – said Golubović at a press conference ahead of Saturday's match with Bokelj.
